2002 Skoda Superb 2.5L V6 TDI 5AT FWD (155 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Skoda brought back from its history books the Superb nameplate and put it on a new car that became its flagship model in 2002.

The Czech brand produced the Superb in 1934 as its flagship model. After WWII, the company entered a dark era where the communist country had to build affordable vehicles for the masses. But after 1990 and the regime’s fall, the brand was bought by Volkswagen and entered a brighter era. Of course, it still made affordable cars, but the idea of producing an elegant, large vehicle was still dominant in Skoda’s management heads. And that happened in 2002 when the brand unveiled a true successor for the Superb.

It wasn’t an entirely new vehicle since it was similar to the long-wheelbase fifth generation of the Volkswagen Passat, which was built for the Chinese market and wasn’t available in Europe. The Superb sported Skoda-specific front fascia, with vertical slats on the chromed grille and wide headlights. The arched roofline resembled that featured on the Passat, but it was longer. Up to the B-pillars, these vehicles were nearly identical. Yet, the rear doors were longer. Finally, at the back, the corner-mounted vertical taillights flanked the trunk’s lid.

Inside, the minimalist design of the dashboard featured a rounded instrument panel with four dials and an LCD between the speedometer and tachometer. The center stack hosted the sound system and HVAC panel. In addition, the automaker offered a sat-nav infotainment unit. But Skoda engineers made things better for the rear-seat passengers. The front passenger’s seat featured a folding system integrated into the seatback, so the rear-seated occupant could stretch their legs for more comfort. Another unusual feature of the vehicle was the door-integrated umbrella, something that only Rolls-Royce offered on the market at that time.

Under the hood, the Superb received Volkswagen-sourced engines, either gasoline or turbo-diesel, that sent their power to the wheels via a five- or six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic.